Do This. Don't Do That. Some Ragnar Tips!

After running 3 Ragnar Relays and having 3 very different experiences with each, I'm making a list of what to do and not to do. It is based on observations and experiences that I create this list. I saw one thing that was so simple and cool that it should pretty much be a Must Do for any team living in a vehicle for days on end! So let's get to business....

• DO. Be nice to volunteers. They are old. They are kids. They are members of the community. Just be nice. And say thank you. They are working their asses off at all hours of the day, just like you.
  
  
• DO. Have organized vans. Keep them tidy inside and life will be simpler when you start getting deep into this race.
  
  
• DO. Get a 15 passenger van. That extra space will be so appreciated and make for happy runners!
  
  
• DON'T get a mini van. Seriously. Just don't do it.
  
  
• DO Put your dirty clothes away once you take them off. It takes no time to do it and nobody wants to see, touch, or smell your nasty clothes. We are ALL nasty. Keep it sealed away!
  
  
• DO change your clothes after each run. Again, we are ALL nasty. Be courtesy to your van-mates. Plus you'll feel better in dry clothes. Adding a fabric softener to your zip-lock bags of clothes isn't a bad idea either.
  
  
• DO remember zip-lock bags are key! Pack each outfit in one bag, then when it is time to change you can just grab and go. Put your dirty ones back in when you're done and seal that bad boy up!
  
  
• DON'T use phones while driving. It's against the law. It's dangerous. It's just not cool. A few of you have done it. Stop.
  
  
• DO Exchange contact info for both teams. You have to be able to stay in contact with more than one person. You never know what may happen.
  
  
• DO Meet your other van before the race. It helps at major exchanges to know who to look for and it builds camaraderie anyway!
  
  
• DO Have fun and DECORATE!
  
  
• DO Take tons of fun photos. Photos of everyone on the team!! You'll hardly even know I ran this recent Ragnar, aside from my few mid-run selfies.
  
  
• DO Enjoy your views because they could be one in a lifetime moments.
  
  
• DON'T eat crunchy food loudly when everyone in the van is trying to sleep.
  
  
• DO eat with your mouth closed. At all hours. You should just practice this in life in general. Seriously.
  
  
• DO Talk with other teams. We are all in this thing together and you never know who you might meet!
  
  
• DO Check out van art. It's so fun!
  
  
• DO get a hotel room near your start area. Starting off with a good night sleep in a bed and a shower really helps set the tone!
  
  
• DO the safety briefing and souvenir shopping the day before the race, if possible. You get access to all the merch early and come race day you can just show up and run!
  
  
• DO Put your current runner as your number one priority.
  
  
• DON'T just follow your GPS. Use the official Ragnar maps. You'll make fewer wrong turns and your runner will appreciate seeing you along the course.
  
  
• DO Give runner aid every time you can. Even if they decline at the time, at least pause to check in with them to make sure they are okay. You might head out feeling great and then get hurt unexpectedly, or need water, and if your team doesn't check you're out there suffering on your own.
  
  
• DO Start preparing for your run a couple runners before your leg.
  
  
• DO After a hand off let the finished runner calm down a bit, then immediately head out to support the current runner.
  
  
• DON'T accidentally turn into a military zone unless you are lucky enough to have someone in your van with military ID!
  
  
• DO cheer on ALL runners, not just your team. Every little thing you can do will be appreciated, even if it is just a cowbell, a high-5, a wave. Anything helps!
  
  
• DO support other runners while you are running. Again, this is a group effort. Even a pity "Good job!" from another runner makes me feel happy on the inside. Heck, I even had a fake old man boyfriend for a while during this one just because we needed to get through the misery of scorching sun and hills and any humor I could create was helping!
  
  
• DON'T turn down a chance to get sprayed with water during your run. It gets hot out there!
  
  
• DON'T push so hard you end up in the ambulance.
  
  
• DO set your ego aside and run smart. As one team member said, you'll finish faster by slowing down or walking than if you have to have medical aid come to you.
  
  
• DON'T get drunk before the race. Save it for the finish line after party.
  
  
• DO have designated drivers after the finish line party.
  
  
• DO your best. You don't have to "race" or set a PR. But just try to do the best you can that day and have a positive attitude. You are part of a team. Remember that!
  
  
• DO have a fun flag or something team related on a big pole you can wave at exchanges. It helps your runner know their team is there and gives them something to aim for. Plus it is just fun and cute!
  
  
• DON'T buy so much food. Every Ragnar I have done has had way too much food leftover. You're not going to eat it, so don't kid yourself into buying you "fuel". Get candy, cookies and chips. It's what you know you want!
  
  
• DON'T be judgmental of abilities and paces. These are hard and judgment only adds pressure and makes it harder. And this is no ordinary race. I'm a strong runner and I can run a long time. You would never know that based on my performance in this last race. Running is only a small fraction of a Ragnar anyway, so just be understanding and supportive.
  
  
• DON'T be selfish. This is a team event. We are all running. We are all in the same situation. Put the current runner's needs ahead of your own. We are all equals here.
  
  
• DO have water ready for the runners as they come in for a hand off. And have someone close by just in case they need help. You just never know!
  
  
• DO get those plastic Rubbermaid drawers and label one for each runner. Think of how easy it is to toss in your Garmin, hat, sunglasses, gels, whatever and know it is going to be in your own drawer easy to grab when you need it. It could save so much time versus digging in your bag or having it end up who knows where in your van.
  
  
• DO have one of those cool collapsible organizer things (I always see them at Costco) to put your food in. It seems like having all of this in the back easy to access and not have food rolling all around would be awesome! Plus everything won't fall out when you open the trunk door.
  
  
• DO take advantage of the room a large van would grant you, and just let everyone keep their bags by them or under their seat. Want to change clothes while traveling? Boom, there they are right next to you. Need your blanket that you put away? It's there, too. No more digging around in a full trunk area just to find your muscle rub. It is right under your seat in your bag. Trust me, this is a must do!! My second Ragnar gave me the luxury of my own 'apartment' area where I had my space tidy and organized and was available to welcome guests to come back and nap with me when needed.
  
  
• DO remember this may be your first, only, and/or last impression on people. Be cool.
  
  
• DO Be like Garth! Best van mate ever. We should all be like Garth! Heck, I even try to run like Garth! Check 2014 Ragnar posts for more on him.
  
  
• DO exchange numbers, Instagrams, Facebook profiles, whatever.... make friends! You just might want to hang out again or recruit them for your team next year!
  
  
• DO Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last .... slow down! Slow down your driving, we are all going to the same places together. Let's help each other out. Get some good driving karma going. And in general, just slow down and enjoy it all! Share stories. Make new memories. Take silly photos together. Watch the sunrise. Look at the wild animals in the early morning as they, too, are waking up. Notice mist over the water. Look at the starts and the moon while you lay in the grass. Smell nature when you're out there running in a quiet area. Beauty is everywhere. Just put down your phone and take it all in.